Amnesty warns Rihanna, Shakira against concerts in Azerbaijan

October 8, 2012 - 18:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Human rights group Amnesty International urged pop stars Rihanna and Shakira on Friday, October 5 to open their eyes to recent arrests of journalists, bloggers and activists in Azerbaijan, before their performances in the former Soviet republic this month, The Express Tribune said.

Amnesty and Sing for Democracy said in a joint letter that it wanted to draw the singers’ attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues in Azerbaijan.

“Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,” the letter said, referring to the singing contest in the Azeri capital of Baku in May, which spurred protests and rallies by Azeris demanding democracy.

Authorities in Baku arrested dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journalists and political activists.

“We Found Love” singer Rihanna, 24, is scheduled to perform in Baku on Saturday. “Hips Don’t Lie” singer Shakira, 35, is performing in Baku for football organisation FIFA’s U-17 Women’s World Cup on October 13, and at another venue in the capital on October 14.

International rights groups often have criticised Azerbaijan for curbing public dissent, while the government in Baku says Azerbaijanis enjoy full freedom of speech.

“Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,” said the letter to Rihanna and Shakira.

Representatives for both singers did not immediately return calls for comment.

Operation Nemesis was a covert operation by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation carried out from 1920 to 1922, during which a number of former Ottoman political and military figures were assassinated for their role in the Armenian Genocide.